Song Of The Week

Ben Ottewell came into contact with Ian Ball (vocals, guitar) while the two were studying law at Sheffield University. Ball was impressed by Ben’s big voice, and along with Tom Gray (vocals, guitar, keyboard), Paul Blackburn (bass), and Olly Peacock (drums, synths, computers), they formed the band Gomez. Ottewell’s deep, soulful voice has gained him some acclaim and has drawn some comparisons to Pearl Jam’s Eddie Vedder and artist Tom Waits, and his lyrical style, and acoustical arrangements, especially in his solo work, have drawn comparisons to folk singer Nick Drake

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In an interview with Guitar World, Ben revealed “When it came to writing for Rattlebag I started afresh and all the songs were written specifically with the album in mind over a 12 month period, perhaps making the album a little more cohesive. I’m a great believer in the power of the riff, not just in the bombastic Zeppelin sense but also the more cyclical blues or folk licks, and most of the songs are written with a riff as the foundation. Once these ideas were formed, some as just a verse, some almost full songs, I’d take them to Sam [his writing partner, Sam Genders of English folk band Tunng] and we’d finish them. The recording took 5 days in Los Angeles with producer Will Golden, the other key ingredient.

We got in some great players and Clay Blair who is a fantastic engineer. It’s the most fun I’ve had in a studio since those early Gomez records.” Ben turned to his fanbase to crowdfund the album via Indiegogo.

Music News

Louisville's favorite sons My Morning Jacket have announced the May 4
release of their seventh full-length album, The Waterfall, via ATO/Capitol
Records. The new project, the successor to the 2011 Grammy-nominated album
Circuital, marks the band's first affiliation with Capitol. Check out The
Waterfall's first single "Big Decision" below along with the full track
listing, cover art and upcoming tour dates.[READ MORE]